On 30th of July 2009 Bishkek hosted Kyrgyzstan’s premiere of the film “Home” and launched the Earth Journalism Awards in Kyrgyzstan.
Home is a result of the joint creative work of two masters; the world famous wildlife photographer Jan Artyuss-Bertrand and the cult film director Luc Besson. Over one and a half years shooting in more than 60 countries, the film charts the most beautiful corners of the planet at risk of destruction. Journalists, civil servants and representatives of environmental and international organizations came to see the film.
Before the screening, one of the organizers, the director of Media Commissioning Institute, Begaim Usenova gave a speech explaining how the screening of the movie in Bishkek would never have been possible without the support of the Russian NGO Ecology and World, Internews Network and creative association Sunpeople.
She also noted the contribution that could be made by journalists in solving urgent problems portrayed by the film. “We hope that after viewing the film Home, journalists and bloggers will take more interest in the problems we have with the environment and will report on this issues better”, Ms Begaim said.
She went on to announce that on June 5, the global media assistance organisation, Internews, opened the Earth Journalism Awards (EJA). The EJA’s aim to encourage more and better climate change reporting in the lead up to the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen this December. The competition will culminate in a high profile awards ceremony on December 14, held on the eve of the final negotiations. Winners will be invited to report from Copenhagen and attend the awards ceremony.
Journalists from all over the world working in print, broadcast and photojournalists, bloggers and online media are invited to submit material, as well as and creative young people who are welcome to take part in the MTV award For Positive Change Award.
Applications for this competition can be sent up to and including September 7, 2009, 1200pm Paris time (+2GMT).
For more information on how to apply visit the Earth Journalism Awards Website.